Coming in from the winter snow, I warmed myself by the fire, grabbed a pint of spiced ale and settled into the monastery library to study the intriguing runes on the Script of Starbolin. Using the skills of our craft, and the patience of our vocation, the secrets and powers of its contents soon became my own. I learned of the vision of the wandering eye. I sat enthralled, pondered its meaning, and drank my warm spiced ale.

Several hours and several ales passed (praise be to god), and I retired to my chambers. The image of the wandering eye persisted in my thoughts and into my dreams. I wandered in a barren landscape, the giant eye floated high above the still desert. Suddenly it plummeted from the heavens and joined the likes of us mortals on the humble ground. It appeared to have found what it was searching for. It hovered about the entrance of a sandstone cave.

The Orbs light briefly faded as it entered the cave, but soon afterward, it re-emerged, pursued by a giant serpent. The ferocity of the serpent only detered the orb for a few brief moments before it ventured inside again. Alas, it's light gave away it's trespass, and it was persued. Still, the orb's determination did not falter.

What of value lied inside the cave, I still do not know. After several minutes, I followed the orb into the cave in order to understand its persistence. Unfortunately, before anything was revealed to me, the serpent appeared. The orb fled and I was left in darkness. I could not tell which way to run. Helpless...I was consumed by the serpent.

I awoke from my bed in a cold sweat. Probably just a nightmare from too much ale, I know. Still...the image of the serpent and the orb burns strong in my mind, even through these daylight hours. I have cast the images into runes as Starbolin and the elders have taught me. 

use strict;use warnings;

$|=1,$.=23,$"='[*][*]=[=|=]=(=|=|=)<|:|>|<|',$"=~s:\||\[|\]|\(|\)::g;{
$:=' 'x$.,$^=' 'x(23-2*$.),($.<9)?($~=~s:\w=\s: =O:):($~='O= '),($.>0)
?($.--):($.=23),$_="\r".$^.$".$:.$~,select $,,$,,$,,0.1;print&&redo}

#**=======<:><       =O

[download]

Beware of mixing their powers with those of the divine liquid. Nightmares are easily born of alcohol and scripting. As for myself, I am going to have a beer to ease my mind, and help me forget the torments of the previous night. Nevermore will I tamper with images of the divine.

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Of Dreams, Spirits, and Scripts..
by CountZero (Bishop) on Mar 09, 2005 at 14:24 UTC
    Perhaps one could have alternated the picture of the snake between **=======<:>< and **=======<:>- so that the snake's mouth opens and closes.

    CountZero

    "If you have four groups working on a compiler, you'll get a 4-pass compiler." - Conway's Law

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[d/l]
[select]
      Mostly because I couldn't figure out a short way of doing it, but I aim to please, so... 
      use strict;use warnings;

$|=1,$.=23,$"='[*][*]=[=|=]=(=|=|=)<|:|>|<|',$"=~s:\||\[|\]|\(|\)::g;{
$:=' 'x$.,$^=' 'x(23-2*$.),($.<9)?($~=~s:\w=\s: =O:):($~='O= '),($.>0)
?($.--):($.=23),($"=~s:><:>-:)?():($"=~s:>-:><:),$_="\r".$^.$".$:.$~,
select $,,$,,$,,0.1;print&&redo}

#**=======<:><       =O

      [download]
      I must admit, I like the effect better.
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[d/l]
        Wonderful! Thanks ++

        CountZero

        "If you have four groups working on a compiler, you'll get a 4-pass compiler." - Conway's Law

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        Brother ktross; Greetings in the way of the monks of the kloster. I pondered long on the dwellings of $^ before inspiration visited my humble cell. Good job!

        I humbly ask your pardon as I edit, fold, spindle and mutilate your excellent code. 

        $.=23,$|=1,s,,s//`[*][*]=[=|=]=(=|=|=)<|:|>|<|,,s:s//|/
|\||\[|\]|\(|\)::g;{$:=' 'x$.,$^=' 'x(23-2*$.),$.<9?$~=~
s:\w=\s: =O::($~='O= '),$.=$.?$.-1:23,s:><:>~:?1:s:>~:><:,print"\r",
$^.$_.$:.$~;select$,,$,,$,,2e-1;redo}

        [download]

        Your humble servant;
        starbolin

        s//----->\t/;$~="JAPH";s//\r<$~~/;{s|~$~-|-~$~|||s |-$~~|$~~-|||s,<$~~,<~$~,,s,~$~>,$~~>,,$|=1,select$,,$,,$,,1e-1;print;redo}
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[d/l]
Re: Of Dreams, Spirits, and Scripts..
by zentara (Cardinal) on Mar 10, 2005 at 12:34 UTC
    While reading this, a "Jungian dream-analysis" came to me, revealing the hidden meaning of your dream. "You" are Perl", who with the guidance of the "orb object", were searching for the "perfect scripting language". The orb was drawn to a cave, which was promised to be "fast passage" to the treasure, but it was a "snake pit" and you where nearly eaten by a Python. Luckily you escaped, to continue your search for the elusive Perl6.
    I'm not really a human, but I play one on earth. flash japh
[reply]

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